Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes machining rotors

i didn't see anything that directly answered my question when i did a quick search, so....

i'm about to replace the pads (most likely front AND rear - rears are definitely in worse shape, though) and am hoping to get away with simply turning the rotors instead of replacing them. i have no way of knowing if they're too thin to machine until i take the car in to get the work done (i.e., i don't have a micrometer or anything). i'd do the work myself (order new pads, take the rotors to napa or someone to machine them) but time is of the essence and i don't have any to spare.

i've got 52k miles on the original pads and rotors (front and rear). neither pair have ever been turned/machined and neither pair seems to be warped (no vibration) right now.

anyone have any input as to what my chances are for a simple machining of the rotors being possible? i'm thinking of ordering a set of the mintex street pads from BAT, though my local NTB won't install pads that i provide (they installed my KDW's from the tire rack, though). i'm going to call the dealer (!!) next, but first....any input?

thanks for any comments...

Are the rotors badly scored? If not, you could get away with not having them turned.

Blake,

if they've never been turned, I think you should be ok. You can always get them turned, and if they're not within spec, order new ones. You'll be ok for a few days I would think.

Trouble might be finding a shop that would be willing to turn a rotor that's under spec.

John

Oh, you don't have a measuring caliper? That 'could' work and give you an idea as to whether the rotors are in/under spec.

John

well, they don't appear to be scored badly, and after looking closer last night, it actually looks like i might be able to hold off on the fronts for a while. they're have a lot more pad left than the rears (which are almost gone), so maybe i'll order a set of mintex a/f street pads and tell the dealer to turn the rear rotors and install the rear pads but to just check the fronts and give me an idea of how much longer they'll last.

thanks for the replies...
blake

I've always ben told that the SVT rotors are built just a hair above spec, and this does not give room to machine at all. I dunno, cold be local Ford dealer lining their pockets at my expense.

I believe you are right.

I checked yesterday, and the min. spec is 22.2mm. With my caliper, my rotor is just a hair above 23mm. Mind you, these rotors have never been turned and have about 10k miles on them.

John

oooh. that doesn't sound too encouraging. maybe i best measure my rotors and see if i need to replace them too before i go order just pads...i did notice that my rears looked awfully thin....(dang it!!!)

blake

Actually, the rotors are pretty thick when they start life, but they are a bit soft and wear easily. On the earliest Contiques (95 and part of 96 if I recall correctly) it was not uncommon for the rotors to be worn well below minimum thickness when the pads wore out. Something was changed later that improved the rotor life but Ford never did say if it was the pads or the rotors or both. I do wish there was an easy way to know if anyone making replacement rotors uses harder material. At least they don't wear as fast as rotors on Volvos or BMWs.

You may want to check for a sticking e-brake
cable. Since around 70% of braking is done with the front, you really shouldn't have
"plenty" of pad lining in front, and "gone"
rears. Considering both are of same mileage.
Something to look into.